OPINION:
AAA says brace and pace yourselves: Americans are going to be motoring toward record-setting numbers.
With you and the family renting a cottage for summer vacation instead of booking a hotel room, some of the best advice you should follow, then, are these four words: Be prepared and enjoy.
Neither the former nor the latter is automatic. With a checklist, though, you’ll likely enjoy your time away if you indulge a smidgen of time preparing.
Numero uno on the list is skin protection: sunscreen, insect repellent, and hats and caps. The launch into:
Your morning routine: If you’re morning routine doesn’t begin until happy hour, take a corkscrew. Also consider toiletries, a hair dryer (hotels have them, rentals not always), beverages and pet food.
Linens might be must-haves, too: Towels for bathing and the beach, face cloths, and kitchen towels and wash cloths, and bed linens for each bed. If a little one has yet to master timing while napping or at bedtime, take an extra sheet. If a clothes washer and dryer are available, use them. Taking loads of dirty laundry home spoil vacation memories.
Eating: Unless you plan to eat pizza for every meal, take disposable plates, bowls, cups and utensils. Your digestive track will thank you, and the environment will be more friendly if you buy recyclables.
Cooking: One 6-quart pan and 12-inch cast-iron are indispensable, as are wooden spoons and a panny cake flipper. The skillet can be popped in the oven for deep-dish omelets and — ha, ha — pizzas, or, if you’re trying to get in your comfort zone, baking a whole chicken with veggies. (And so very, very easy if the chicken is stuffed with rice and mushrooms.)
As for seasonings and other cooking staples, this list is hardly a billboard, but Mrs. Dash, Land O’Lakes butter and Reynolds Wrap should suffice when wrapping leftovers, grilling and when you forget to bring baggies for the dog poop.
Cleaning: Wet wipes for the car and the rental. Paper towels. Dish and laundry soap, and all-purpose cleaner. A first-aid kit and alcohol for mild scrapes (but don’t use that half-empty bottle of Grey Goose, thank you very much).
Trash bags: No explanation needed.
Lifeline: Cellphones and chargers. Repeat — chargers plural. Make sure all grown folk have their own, because you can probably rest assured that teens will have their lifelines.
Pulp fiction: To bury your head in.
Beach bag: Because everybody has something to stuff in it.
Happy vacationing!
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